Couple Tomato Questions

[Sunshinegirlfla]

Hi - I'm new to the forum and am growing some tomatoes in pots on my screened in patio in Florida. I have a southern view and my plants seem to be doing well. My questions are:

1. Is it okay to repot a plant that has very small fruit on it??

2. I've been having a small aphid issue. I've been picking them off every morning, but it's a real pain and I can't keep up. I tried the soapy water solution, which hasn't worked. After researching other options online (7 Dust, ladybugs, etc.) I opted for Neem Oil and sprayed all of my plants down tonight. Has anyone had luck with Neem Oil??

Thanks!!

[Kisal]

Yes, it's okay to repot the plant when it has small fruit. However, the disturbance to the roots might cause the plant to drop some or all of the immature tomatoes.

If the plant is in a container, though, and its roots are constricted, i.e. root bound, then failure to repot will cost you not only these earliest fruits, but the entire plant.

If you repot the plant and it drops the fruit, it will bloom again. As long as the temperature is right and the flowers get pollinated (I gently shake my tomato plants every day when they're blooming to ensure pollination), it will soon set more fruit.

Neem oil is fine to use, but I'm not sure it will deter aphids. I think the leaves have to be ingested, such as eaten by a caterpillar, for it to be effective beyond being sprayed directly on the insects. The soap spray only works on direct contact and has to be repeated about 4 times, every 5 to 7 days, in order to kill any survivors or juveniles. Aphids are sometimes brought to plants by ants. If you see ants on your tomato plants, treat for them, or you'll be fighting a never ending battle with the aphids.

[wordwiz]

A couple years ago, I developed an aphid infestation upstairs in my grow room. Had several hundred tomato and pepper seedlings so picking them off by hand was not practical. I mixed up a solution of Safer Soap and Neem oil with water and used a pump sprayer to spray all the plants, both the tops and and undersides of the leaves. If I saw a single creature, all the plants got sprayed. It took about three applications over six days to eradicate them.

Mike